Bengaluru blast accused held from Bengal
Kolkata: In a major success, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested two key accused, including the mastermind, in Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe blast case from West Bengal. The accused, Adbul Matheen Ahmed Taahaa and Mussavir Hussain Shazib, were staying in a lodge near Kolkata under assumed identities, a statement issued by the NIA said. Taahaa was the mastermind behind the planning and execution of the blast while Shazib placed the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the cafe, they said. The two accused were on the run since the explosion rocked the IT city of Bengaluru on March 1. Taahaa and Shazib were produced before a special NIA court in Kolkata after their arrest. The court granted three-day transit remand of the accused to the agency. Several customers and hotel staff members were injured, some of them grievously, in the blast that caused extensive damage to the property.
India issues travel warnings over Israel, Iran tensions
New Delhi: India on Friday advised its citizens not to travel till further notice to Iran or Israel in view of prevailing situation. This caution comes amid reports that Iran is likely to launch direct attack on Israel within the next 48 hours. Issuing note of caution, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also urged all Indians currently residing in Iran or Israel to get in touch with Indian Embassies there and register themselves.
